Doyle Allen Ashley

Doyle A. Ashley, 79, devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, and friend went to be with the Lord on November 3, 2011. He passed peacefully from this life with his family and friends at his side.

Born in Collinsville, AL, on May 18, 1932, he was the son of the late Barrett W. Ashley and Bonnie E. Ashley. He received his B.S. from Auburn University in 1954. After serving in the Army from 1954 to 1956, he received his M.S. in Agronomy from Auburn University in 1957. He was always passionate about his Auburn Tigers - War Eagle!

He was employed by USDA-ARS as a soil scientist in Alabama from 1958 to 1964. In 1964 he entered North Carolina State University and in 1967 received the Ph.D. degree in plant nutrition with a minor in physiology. After one year as a research soil scientist with USDA-ARS, he was appointed assistant professor of Agronomy at the University of Georgia and was promoted to associate and full professor in 1973 and 1978, respectively.

Since 1968 he made his home in Athens, GA and later in Oconee County and was an active member and Elder of Union Christian Church. He retired from the University of Georgia in 1996, where his research was internationally acclaimed and he was recognized as a Fellow with the American Society of Agronomy. However, his most cherished professional fulfillment was realized through the lasting relationships that he forged with his many students. He often reflected fondly on the time he spent as advisor to the Agronomy Club at UGA.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm on Saturday November 5, 2011 at Lord and Stephens Chapel, WEST with Rev. Troy Tatum officiating. Interment will follow in Union Christian Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Earl Elsner, Eric Elsner, James Morris, Sullivan Pollard, Brett Strickland and David Vaughn.

He was preceded in death by his loving and devoted wife, Frances W. Ashley; survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Greg and Jennifer Ashley of Bogart, GA; daughter and son-in-law, Lynn Ashley and Tom Diess of Denver, CO; grandchildren, Sunny Ashley, Schuyler Diess and Muriel Diess; sister and brother-in-law, Shelby and Rayford Fowler of Auburn, AL; sister Eloise Dobbs of Arab, AL; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Walt and Lonita Walker of Preston, GA; brother-in-law Conrad Turner of Mobile, AL; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family will receive friends at the Lord and Stephens, WEST funeral home from 7:00 - 9:00 pm on Friday November 4, 2011.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Union Christian Church Building Fund or the American Cancer Society.

Lord and Stephens, WEST is in charge of arrangements.